[Greenbuilding] Green Building and Happiness.

[Lynelle Hamilton]

As someone who built/contracted her own house, I can honestly say that 
this is perhaps the greatest tangible/intangible a contractor/architect 
could provide.

Lynelle
On 14/01/2013 12:41 PM, Gennaro Brooks-Church - Eco Brooklyn wrote:
> I'm not sure if this is painfully obvious but in my competitive,
> expensive and stressful New York construction market I am seeing that
> one of the largest contributions to green building that I can make is
> to simply give clients a stress free, enjoyable experience (while also
> sticking to the most stringent environmental standards).
>
> The definition of a green builder in my eyes is somebody who actively
> tries to improve the worlds environmental situation. And I think the
> cause of so much environmental destruction is caused by people who are
> alienated, uneducated and unhappy.
>
> You can't do much if your insides are toxic, whether that is toxic
> organs, toxic thoughts or toxic relationships.
>
> If I sit back and envision world peace I see people interacting
> lovingly and happily with themselves, others and the world. And when
> things are difficult (as life can be) people have the inner strength
> to overcome the challenges in a respectful and compassionate way.
>
> So from this I am increasingly seeing that a super efficient house
> isn't worth much if the people in the house are alienated, uneducated
> and unhappy. Toxic.
>
> As they say, to change the world you must first see the change in
> yourself, your immediate family, friends, community etc. So it makes
> increasing sense for me to make my interaction with clients a
> reflection of the above mentioned world peace.
>
> The green building isn't just happening in the choice of wood you buy.
> It is also happening as you reduce the toxic interaction with people
> and place.
>
> And it starts with my own inner peace, which is an ongoing process
> full of success and setbacks. And it continues in my interaction with
> clients. The goal is one of coming out of the job not only with a
> green house but a green relationship - free of toxins, destructive
> ways of speaking and acting, and full of sustainable things that allow
> the relationship (with ourselves and others) to grow and be full of
> life.
>
> Like I said, this may be obvious. But my evolution as a green builder
> who constantly seeks whole system connections has led me to see the
> connection between my inner peace and my outer work of swinging a
> hammer. For me this has been profound and life changing.
>
> Just saying.
>
> Gennaro Brooks-Church
> Director, Eco Brooklyn Inc.
> Cell: 1 347 244 3016 USA
> www.EcoBrooklyn.com
> 22 2nd St; Brooklyn, NY 11231
>
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